Israel Prison Industries (IPI) - 54 factories that produce furniture, safety vests, curtains, boxes, and more - has been hit by the economic crisis.
Among its 2,400 prisoner-employees, new work opportunities are being sought for some 400 of them, reports the Yisrael HaYom (Israel Today) commuter newspaper.
IPI specializes in consumer goods made out of wood, metal, and textiles, and has workers in printing and other areas as well. Many of the products are exported, but the drop in the dollar and the rise in raw material prices of the past several months has made IPI goods more expensive than some similar products abroad.
Several textile plants have been closed of late, including Verdinon Ceasaria which employed 50 prisoners.
IPI found temporary, holiday-related work for some 400 suddenly-unemployed prisoners by leasing them out to makers of calendars, maps, appointment books, and the like. The upcoming elections, which will increase demand for paper for posters and advertising, are also expected to provide a solution.
IPI is one of the leading furniture providers for government offices, including Shabak and police stations. Other customers of the jailbirds' work include Israel Airports Authority, the IDF, the Prison Service, Illit/Strauss, Bezeq, Silvertex, Plasto-Polish, Mango, Tefen, Kitan Dimona, and more.
IPI Director Nissim Kashi told Yisrael HaYom that the employment of prisoners is an important part of their rehabilitation. "Despite the crisis, we must prepare and find new options and solutions," he said. "If we don't occupy them, they will occupy us."